10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a critical food and income crop in Kenya, yet its narrow genetic base limits breeding progress and crop resilience. Characterizing morphological diversity among newly developed lines is essential to leverage diverse traits for future breeding programs and variety development. This study evaluated the phenotypic and morphological diversity of eight potato genotypes, comprising four novel mutant lines (Eldo-Amani, Eldo-Fanaka, Eldo-bidii, and IP4) and four commercial varieties (Shangi, Unica, Sherekea, and an additional line). The trials were conducted across five distinct locations (Eldoret, Burnt Forest, Mosoriot, Marakwet, and Nyandarua) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Morphological diversity data were collected according to the UPOV descriptor guidelines for potato, and hierarchical cluster analysis was used to analyze phenotypic relationships. Cluster analysis successfully grouped the eight genotypes into three distinct clusters based on morphological similarity. Among the evaluated genotypes, Unica emerged as the most unique and phenotypically distant line from all others. The second cluster grouped the mutant lines Eldo-Fanaka, Eldo-Bidii, IP4, and the commercial variety Sherekea together, while Shangi and the mutant line Eldo-Amani were grouped in the third cluster. Morphological trait evaluation revealed that specific vegetative and tuber attributes had the highest contribution to total variation. Stem anthocyanin coloration was the most discriminating trait at 41.5%, followed closely by leaf midrib coloration at 30.4%, and tuber skin color at 17.8%. Overall, the study demonstrated significant morphological variation among the mutant lines and commercial varieties.